Program-controlled fluid supply system and controller therefor

Abstract

A fluid supply system controller includes a processor, a memory subsystem and fluid application code. The memory subsystem is coupled to the processor and stores data and instructions. The fluid application code causes the processor to perform the steps of receiving a workpiece width, a workpiece feed length, a workpiece stroke rate, a workpiece fluid thickness and a calibrated flow rate. The fluid application code then causes fluid to be periodically provided to the workpiece for a fixed duration responsive to the received workpiece width, workpiece feed length, workpiece stroke rate, workpiece fluid thickness and calibrated flow rate.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A fluid supply system for delivering fluid to a workpiece, comprising: 
       a processor;  
       a memory subsystem coupled to the processor and storing data and instructions;  
       fluid application code for causing the processor to perform the steps of:  
       receiving a workpiece width;  
       receiving a workpiece feed length;  
       receiving a workpiece stroke rate;  
       receiving a workpiece fluid thickness;  
       receiving a calibrated flow rate; and  
       periodically providing fluid to the workpiece for a fixed duration responsive to the received workpiece width, workpiece feed length, workpiece stroke rate, workpiece fluid thickness and calibrated flow rate;  
       a pressurized source of fluid;  
       a valve assembly including a plurality of processor actuated valves;  
       a first fluid conduit coupling the pressurized source of fluid to the valve assembly; and  
       a plurality of second fluid conduits each coupling one of the plurality of processor actuated valves to one of a plurality of fluid supply devices, wherein each of the fluid supply devices provides fluid to the workpiece responsive to the processor.  
     
     
       2. The fluid supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid application code causes the processor to perform the additional steps of: 
       determining an on-time for a selected processor actuated valve based in part on the calibrated flow rate;  
       determining a cycle rate based in part on the workpiece stroke rate; and  
       advising a user to increase the calibrated flow rate, when the on-time for the selected processor actuated valve exceeds the cycle rate.  
     
     
       3. The fluid supply system of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid application code causes the processor to perform the additional steps of: 
       receiving a minimum on-time for the selected processor actuated valve;  
       determining whether a proper amount of fluid can be delivered without exceeding a maximum value of an internal input counter that is associated with the selected processor actuated valve; and  
       advising a user to decrease the calibrated flow rate or increase the minimum on-time for the selected processor actuated valve, when the proper amount of fluid cannot be delivered through the selected processor actuated valve without exceeding the maximum value of the internal input counter.  
     
     
       4. The fluid supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is an 8051 compatible microcontroller. 
     
     
       5. The fluid supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid supply devices are rollers. 
     
     
       6. The fluid supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid supply devices include spray nozzles. 
     
     
       7. The fluid supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid supply devices include spray nozzles and rollers. 
     
     
       8. The fluid supply system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a keypad for receiving input from a user; and  
       a display for providing information to the user, the display further prompting the user for the input.  
     
     
       9. The fluid supply system of  claim 8 , the keypad further including: 
       an alarm button for causing current alarms to be provided on the display; and  
       an edit button for allowing existing set-ups to be changed or new set-ups to be initiated.  
     
     
       10. A method of applying fluid to a workpiece, comprising the steps of: 
       receiving a workpiece width;  
       receiving a workpiece feed length;  
       receiving a workpiece stroke rate;  
       receiving a workpiece fluid thickness;  
       receiving a calibrated flow rate; and  
       periodically providing fluid to the workpiece for a fixed duration responsive to the received workpiece width, workpiece feed length, workpiece stroke rate, workpiece fluid thickness and calibrated flow rate.  
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the additional steps of: 
       determining an on-time for a selected processor actuated valve based in part on the calibrated flow rate;  
       determining a cycle rate based in part on the workpiece stroke rate; and  
       advising a user to increase the calibrated flow rate, when the on-time for the selected processor actuated valve exceeds the cycle rate.  
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the additional steps of: 
       receiving a minimum on-time for the selected processor actuated valve;  
       determining whether a proper amount of fluid can be delivered without exceeding a maximum value of an internal input counter that is associated with the selected processor actuated valve; and  
       advising a user to decrease the calibrated flow rate or increase the minimum on-time for the selected processor actuated valve, when the proper amount of fluid cannot be delivered through the selected processor actuated valve without exceeding the maximum value of the internal input counter.  
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid is applied to the workpiece by rollers. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid is applied to the workpiece by both rollers and spray nozzles. 
     
     
       15. A fluid supply system controller providing for the application of fluid to a workpiece, comprising: 
       a processor;  
       a memory subsystem coupled to the processor and storing data and instructions; and  
       fluid application code for causing the processor to perform the steps of:  
       receiving a workpiece width;  
       receiving a workpiece feed length;  
       receiving a workpiece stroke rate;  
       receiving a workpiece fluid thickness;  
       receiving a calibrated flow rate; and  
       periodically providing fluid to the workpiece for a fixed duration responsive to the received workpiece width, workpiece feed length, workpiece stroke rate, workpiece fluid thickness and calibrated flow rate.  
     
     
       16. The fluid supply system controller of  claim 15 , wherein the fluid application code causes the processor to perform the additional steps of: 
       determining an on-time for a selected processor actuated valve based in part on the calibrated flow rate;  
       determining a cycle rate based in part on the workpiece stroke rate; and  
       advising a user to increase the calibrated flow rate, when the on-time for the selected processor actuated valve exceeds the cycle rate.  
     
     
       17. The fluid supply system controller of  claim 16 , wherein the fluid application code causes the processor to perform the additional steps of: 
       receiving a minimum on-time for the selected processor actuated valve;  
       determining whether a proper amount of fluid can be delivered without exceeding a maximum value of an internal input counter that is associated with the selected processor actuated valve; and  
       advising a user to decrease the calibrated flow rate or increase the minimum on-time for the selected processor actuated valve, when the proper amount of fluid cannot be delivered through the selected processor actuated valve without exceeding the maximum value of the internal input counter.  
     
     
       18. The fluid supply system controller of  claim 15 , wherein the fluid is applied to the workpiece by rollers. 
     
     
       19. The fluid supply system controller of  claim 15 , wherein the fluid is applied to the workpiece by both rollers and spray nozzles. 
     
     
       20. The fluid supply system controller of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is an 8051 compatible microcontroller.